Over the past couple of years, I’ve received numerous messages from local writers looking to begin the self-publishing journey. Sometimes I’ve been able to answer all their questions in detail, and other times I’ve had to be more brief (because of time constraints), but every time, I’ve wished that I had all the answers written out somewhere already! Plenty of self-publishing and marketing advice exists online, of course, but it’s written mostly from an American perspective. In South Africa, we have different publishing challenges (like Amazon refusing to pay royalties into our bank accounts, and South Africans being unable to publish directly on Nook Press). It isn’t quite so easy to find the answers you might be looking for.
So that’s what I’m doing now, in the form of a series of blog posts (not because I suddenly have more time, but because if I don’t make myself do it NOW, it may never happen!). If you’re a reader or a non-South African writer, you can feel free to skip these posts (or not, if you find them interesting anyway 🙂 ).
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As an introduction to the information I’m going to be focusing on, let’s look at the process of creating a book …
WRITING THE BOOK
This step is no different for a writer in South Africa as opposed to anywhere else in the world (duh). Story structure, characterisation, style, grammar … it’s the same here*, and if you’re looking to self-publish a book, I assume you already know all this writerly stuff.
*Except for those pesky minor differences in spelling (colour/color, realise/realize, defence/defense, counsellor/counselor) and certain words (petrol/gas, boot/trunk, jumper/sweater). But again, this isn’t about where you live, but about where your story is set and who your target audience is.
PREPARING THE BOOK
The majority* of this step is also independent of the country you live in. You can hire editors, proofreaders, formatters, and cover designers from anywhere in the world. (Most of the professionals I’ve worked with do not live in South Africa.) Communication, payment, and delivery of final digital products can all take place online. There are also plenty of free tutorials online that will teach you how to format your book or use graphic design software, if you’re a DIY kinda person.
*I consider obtaining an ISBN to be part of the book preparation step, and that is different in South Africa.
EVERYTHING THAT COMES AFTERWARDS
This is the stuff I’m focusing on! The stuff that can have a uniquely South African flavour (not flavor 😉 ). In the next few weeks, I’ll be expanding on the following topics:
- Copyright, ISBNs & Barcodes
- Which Platforms to Publish Your Books On
- Royalties, Tax Stuff & How To Get Paid
- How to Sell Print Books Locally
- Marketing Ideas
- Continually Learning
- (Added based on feedback) List of SA Editors, Artists & Formatters
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SO looking forward to this. Thank you Rachel!
You’re very welcome, Janita!
I’ll be following your posts!
Thanks Rachel! 🙂
Sure thing, Michelle!
Thanks Rachel, looking forward to the articles 🙂
Cool, thanks David 😀
Could you recommend any good tutorials on formatting?
Hi Cristy 🙂
Sorry for my delayed response! It’s mainly because I don’t know of anything offhand. I’m oldschool, so I still use Sigil because I like the behind-the-scenes control it gives me. I read the Sigil tutorials (and Googled any error messages I came across) to figure out how to use it. http://web.sigil.googlecode.com/git/files/OEBPS/Text/tutorials.html If you’re looking for something a bit more user friendly, perhaps try Jutoh or Vellum (I think Vellum is Mac only, but I’ve seen many authors praise this one!).
Hi Rachel,
Your blog series on self-publishing is amazing! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! 🙂
I’ve been trying to download the Sigil software but I’m too scared to follow through… :/ as I’m never sure that it’s from a safe site.
Could you advise on how to install Sigil?
Thank you so much! 🙂
Hi Dorae 🙂
I apologise for the delayed reply! I’ve been overseas since March 12th, and I’m slowly going through all my email and notifications since returning home 🙂
Sigil hasn’t been supported for several years now. No updates, no user support (unless something’s changed recently that I don’t know about), so I wouldn’t suggest using it anymore. The formatting software that everyone (myself included) LOVES these days is Vellum. It’s available for Mac only, but if you have a PC, it might be worth renting MacinCloud for a short while in order to use Vellum. It makes ebook and print formatting SO easy 🙂
https://vellum.pub/
https://www.macincloud.com/
Hi Rachel
Just found your blog and am really excited. I have so many questions and did not know who to ask from a South African writer’s point of view. I am totally overwhelmed with this self-publishing business. And the costs involved. But having one of my children’s books published is on my bucket-list! So I am quite absorbed by your blog at the moment. Thank you so much Rachel!
Do you mind if I ask questions as I go along?
Kind Regards
Hi Terri 🙂
Yes, you’re welcome to ask me questions! I’ll do my best to answer. And if you’re on Facebook, this is a good group to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheWritingDragonsDen/ Of all the groups I’m part of, this one by far has the most South African writers. So if you’re looking for advice from an SA perspective, it’s good to ask questions there 🙂
Great … thanks Rachel.
Why am I just discovering your website now? I’m thrilled to “meet you” and will be visiting frequently. Author Shirley Corder, Port Elizabeth
Hi Shirley,
Nice to “meet” you too 🙂
I had to pop back and thank you again, Rachel. I followed your guidelines including your choice of printer and I love love love the proof! The book is now on order. Woohoo! Now to market it (groan) and sell it!
You’re welcome, Shirley! Great to hear that you love the proof you received 🙂 All the best with getting it out into the world now!